On June 14, 2019, TCN reported that Split Airport’s new passenger terminal was set to open on schedule, and in approximately two weeks, though the exact date was still unknown. Technical checks were said to be currently underway at the site, after which the Croatian Ministry for Construction and Spatial Planning would issue an operating permit.
However, on July 5, 2019, we still don’t have an answer. Namely, Ex Yu Aviation reports that Split Airport missed the deadline for opening the new passenger terminal, as the Airport announced it would be open to travelers by the end of June. A reason for the delay is not yet known, nor is the new opening date.
Over the last six months, we’ve reported that the new terminal was on schedule to open in June, with Croatia’s Minister of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković confirming in March that the more than 450 million kuna terminal and its additional facilities were progressing faster than planned.
This delay comes as Split Airport welcomed 513,706 passengers or an increase of 8.2% for a record June. In the first six months of 2019, Split Airport welcomed 1,102,118 passengers, which is up 8%.
Recall, the new terminal will spread across 50,000 square meters, which is a significant improvement compared to the current 14,000. The will be 30 check-in counters, 6 exits, 5 luggage carousels, a new sorting facility, parking for 900 cars, a station for 49 buses, and a 120-meter-long air-conditioned pedestrian bridge that connects it all. There will also be a lounge for business class passengers, an observation deck, and more restaurants. You can see the progress of the airport back in March here.
“This additional space will enable us to handle 2,500 passengers per hour instead of the current 2,000. That totals 40,000 travelers per day,” said Lukša Novak, Split Airport’s general manager.
“On an annual basis, the extra capacity will enable us to handle an additional one million passengers. Depending on tourism industry trends, this terminal should cater to our needs over the next fifteen years. We expect new routes to be launched once the new terminal opens. Each year we expand with some five or six new destinations. We are currently linked with around 100 cities or some fifty countries. We expect for this trend to continue in the coming years,” added Novak.
Split Airport expects to see 5-10% growth in passengers this year.
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